Stallions rout Tigers, grab solo Elite Classic lead

CEBU, Philippines - Vill Duero pumped in 24 points as the Lexmark Stallions slammed the Wipro Tigers, 82-54, to regain the solo lead in Elite Classic of the  12th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Siegfred Ofonda aded 12 points, while Sylvester Millevo, Michael Recla and Bertvincel Santillan connived for 25 points as the Stallions raised their record to 5-1 to zoom past the defending champion Convergys Converters and ePerformax Reds, who are both toting 5-2 cards, in the leaderboard.

After taking an early 19-9 lead, the Stallions pounded the Tigers quarter after quarter on the way to a 28-point blowout.

Aaron Paule Suson was the lone double-digit scorer with 13 for the Tigers, who slumped to their seventh loss in as many starts.

In the other Elite Classic games, Archie Brian Batua scattered 22 points and seven rebounds to power the Accenture Sharks past the ePerformax Reds, 77-69, while the Telstra Boomerangs set a league record with seven players cashing in twin figures in their 97-89 whacking of the SSI Warriors. 

Junas Maruion Misa chipped in 16 markers, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Marloni Gonzales had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Sharks, who used a powerful 28-12 endgame punch to turn the tables on the Reds and notch their fourth win in seven games.

On the other hand, the Boomerangs had a balanced attack spearheaded by Jetro Gonzaga with 20 points and six rebounds followed by Jasper Christian Diaz with a solid double-double show of 18 points and 17 rebounds.

John Anthony Ares and Janrie Perez each scored 12, Caezar Dequita netted 11 pionts laced with nine assists and six steals, while Armalon Fernandez and Jonell Nogas tallied 10 markers apiece for the Boomerangs, who now hold a 3-5 win-loss mark. The Warriors plunged to their sixth conseutive defeat.

In the lone Evo League match, Paul Romwell Amit had 18 points and 19 rebounds to lift the Blue Ocean Pirates to an 84-54 demolition of the Atos Falcons.

Raymond Dennis Tan contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and as many assists as the Pirates notched their only second victory against five setbacks. The Falcons joined idle Teletech Titans at the cellar with a woeful 0-7 records. (EBV) (FREEMAN)